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World Cup Ski Races Moved

November 12, 1999 / 7:36 PM EST / AP

For the first time in 14 years, warm weather forced World Cup ski races to be moved from Utah.

The season-opening event at Park City men's and women's slalom and giant slalom was shifted Friday to Colorado. The U.S. Ski Team has proposed running the women's races Nov. 19-20 at Copper Mountain, and approval by the International Skiing Federation could come Sunday or Monday.

Ski officials also hope to hold the men's events between Nov. 23-29 at Beaver Creek. Approval by the FIS is expected by Wednesday.

Men's downhill and super-G races already are planned at Beaver Creek Nov. 27-28, and the slalom and GS would be squeezed in as the schedule permits.

"As the weekend goes on, we'll have more information," said Tom Kelly, spokesman for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team.

Copper Mountain is one of the highest ski areas in North America. Like Utah, Colorado has received little snow but resorts at higher elevations can make and retain artificial snow. Copper Mountain's village level of 9,700 feet is almost as high as Park City's peak of 10,000.

Under sunny skies Friday, Park City's slalom and giant slalom runs were partially covered by patches of machine-made snow and the finish area was a muddy bog.

With the daytime temperature climbing into the 60s for several days and no snow anywhere in town, it was clear the races couldn't be held in Park City despite frantic efforts by the resort.

"Mother Nature's got to cut you a break," Kelly said.

The event has been held in Park City since 1985. With the resort's state-of-the-art snowmaking machines, organizers were confident the races would go on if the temperature fell.

During the past month, crews worked to produce almost 5 feet of artificial snow. But with overnight temperatures rarely reaching ideal conditions in the teens, it was impossible to keep it on the runs.

Vern Greco, president and general manager at Park City Mountain Resort, said the opening World Cup races has developed a "strong reputation around the world for both reliability and quality. So while it's disappointing, it's frankly also a surprise."

Greco said the resort spends more than $1 million to hold the races.

"Ski racing is not a profit center for us," Greco said. "Clearly, there will be a short-term economic impact in the community. Those most directly affected are in lodging, restaurant and retail."

Organizers said planning for the World Cup and efforts by crews to prepare the course proved Park City is prepared to hold the slalom and giant slalom events at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

"It's something that makes me feel confident Park City will be ready for the Olympic Games," said Herwig Demschar, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee's director of alpine sports.